•Looking back to the reaction in India, within your own party (on your Jinnah statement) . . . maybe your own party was not ready for change. You found no support.

After all that we had done with respect to Pakistan in Delhi (as a government) the party did not react adversely.

•Then this adverse reaction came from — ignorance or prejudice?

I said I didn’t call him (Jinnah) an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity, Sarojini Naidu did. And I did not say that Jinnah is secular. I said this is what he said (in the Constituent Assembly speech).

•You will say again what you said about Jinnah in Karachi.

I’ll always say that. I’ve also mentioned in my book that much before my Pakistan visit, there was a huge function here, where I released a book on Pakistan.

•How upset were you then? Was that one of the most disappointing moments for you?

Yes, I was upset. Yes, in my political life (it was a disappointing moment). And for two years after that I was, in a sense, not as active as I used to be. Perhaps that’s one reason I’ve been able to write this book.

•Did you contemplate retirement from politics?

I did. But at the same time . . .

•How close did you come to retiring?

I though of retiring not only at that stage, but, as I’ve said to a television channel recently, the day my party announced my name as prime ministerial candidate. That day again I thought of resigning. I felt that now that the party and the Parivar have accepted me, I have no more ambition in life.

... contd.